Buckle



T. LA MAIDA.

BUCKLE. APPLICATION FILED 0m16.191s.

Patented Feb.'8,'1921.y

UNITED STATES THOMAS LA MAIDA, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

BUCKLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Application filed October 1S, 1919. Serial No. 331,004.

T 0 @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, THOMAS LA MAIDA, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, borough of Bronx, in the county of Bronx and State of New York, rave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buckles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates more particularly to a class of devices for use in conjunction with belts adapted to be worn by persons.

lily invention has for its object primarily to provide a buckle designed to be employed for detachably fastening togethe the ends of belts especially of a class made for personal wear, and which is of a form including one or a number of coacting elements adapted to be removably applied to a belt in a manner whereby the necessity of first a"- ranging the device on the belt and afterward providing the customary loop or loops for holding the buckle may be avoided, besides serving when the buckle is employed on belts of washable material to allow the buckle to be easily removed prior to cleaning the belt as well as serving to permit interchangeable belts to be used with `the device. rhe invention consists essentially of a bar extending crosswise of a frame element, and one part of the bar is held to the frame element, while its other part isv free of the element so that it may be moved toward and from the element to allow of being removably disposed in the loop of a belt for mounting the frame element on the belt, and on the bar is a locking element for releasably fastening the frame element and the free end of the bar together. t

A further object of the invention is to provide a buckle of a simple, efficient and durable construction which may be made of any suitable material in various shapes and sizes.

V' lVith these and other objects in view the invention will be hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and will then be pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

ln the drawing. Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, showing a plan of one form of my improved buckle as used with a bellI for detachably fastening the ends of the belt together.

F ig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figi 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentar sectional view taken on the line 3 8 of i ig. 1.

F ig. f1 is a perspective view of the clasp elementused in the buckle. Y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showingl a plan of a different form of buckle employed for fastening the ends of a belt together.-

F ig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, and

F ig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a clip or sleeve used in conjunction with the buckle.

rlhe form ofthe buckle illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, consists of a slide element 10, a clasp element 11 and a complemental ring element 12 adapted to be detachably engaged by the clasp element, allof which may be made of metal or other suitable material of any desired size and shape.

The slide element 10 has a substantially rectangular frame 13 to provide side niembers 14, 15 and end members 16, 17. To the central part of the member' 16 is integrally formed or otherwise itheld one end of a bar 18 extending crosswise of the opening of the frame so that its other end is in spaced proximity to the end member 1'? of the bar, and this bar is preferably of a length as well as beine sufficiently yielding or pliable so that its free end may be sprung or moved from and toward the frame. Protruding from a corresponding part of the end member 17 of the frame is a lug or short bar 19 which is disposed on alinement with. the spring bar 18 so that its-free end is in closel spaced proximity to the free end of the bar 18. The vbar 18 may be somewhat wider than the lug 19, and the free end part of the bar may be reduced, as at 20, to a size similar to the size ofthe lug. Shoulders 21 and 22 are thereby provided at the juncture of the Yreduced part 2O with the remainder of the bar 18. ln order to allow the bar 18of the frame of the slide to be releasably fastened t-o the lug 19 a locking element or sleeve 23 is provided. This sleeve is arranged on the reduced part 20 of the bar 18, and the sleeve is of a size so that it is freely slidable on the bar for being partially moved upon the free end of the lug- 19. The sleeve is also of a length similar to the length of thel reduced part of the bar 18 to permit the bar and sleeve to clear the lug 19 when sprung in spaced relation to the lug, and the shoulders 21 and 22 serve as stops to limit the movement of the sleeve on the bar. At the end of the sleeve 23 which is adjacent to the lug 19 may be provided a teat or knob,

as 24, While in the lug` may be provided `rectangular frame 28 `to provide 'side mem.-

bers 29, 30 and end members 31, rlllie Vside member 29 consists of ay bar 33 of spring or pliable metal which extends from the end member 31, and this bar terminates With a free end in spaced relation to the end member 32 of the frame 28 forbeinff adapted to be yieldingly moved toward and from the end member 3 2. ljrotruding from the end niember 32 toward and on alinenient with the bar 33 is a lug 34 `having its free end in closely'spaced proximity to the tree end ot the bar. The free end part of thebar 33 'is also reduced, at 35, and on this reduced portion ris a locking element or sleeve 36'ot a size for being slidably guided so that a portion ofthe sleeve ivill be removably disposed on the lug 34 to detachably 'fasten the bar 33 and the lug 34 together. At one end of the sleeve 3G may be a teat or knob 37, and in the lug 34 may bea socket 38, Fig. 3, which Vis arranged forreceiving; the knob et lthe 'sleeve When moved upon the lug so that the sleeve will be held to the lug` against accidental movement, and protruding` 'from the spring bar 33 toward the side member 30 ot' the'fraine are two spaced teeth 39 and 40. As shown the bar 33 lug 34 and sleeve 36 arepreterably of similar formations to the bar V18, lug 19 and sleeve 23 or the slide element 10. rojecting from the outer ede'o' the sidernember 30 of the frame 28 is a hook member/11 adapted tofremovably engage the complemental rlng element 12 When arranged accordingly.

The ring element 12 has a sub-stantialljyr rectangular vframe 42 to provide side members 43, 44 and end members 45, 46. Extending into the opening of the frame 42'r`om its side member 44 maybe a ynumber of spaced teeth 47, 48, 49, and from the outer edge ot' the side member 43 of the trame may be a plate vor tongue, as 50, which projects on a `similar plane to the frame. lvVhen this type of the buckle is removablv'applied'toabelu las 51, in'one'end ofthe belt is provided a loop VV52. YThe sleeve 23 V`of the slide element ll) is moved entirely upon the reduced end 2O ot the bar 13 of the slide element, and after springing the sleeve with the Jfree end of the bar from the frame 13 of the slide element the bar 18 with the sleeve 23 are passed through the loop 52 of the belt. By then movin@ the sleeve 23 so as to engage the lue,` 19 or the frame 13 the slide element will be removably held to the belt. Before the slide element 1.0 is applied to the belt the looped end 52 ot the belt is passed through the frame 42 ot the ringlike element 12, and by arranging,- lthe looped end of the belt so that it laps upon the body of the belt a second loop, as 53, is provided in the same end ot the belt. The body of the belt is then guided under the side member 14 ot the 'rame43 of `the'slide element, over lthe loop '52 ot thebelt and under the side member 15 of the frame of the slide element. By movina'the slideV element lOon the belt the Iloop 53 of the belt will be lengthened or reduced for likewise lenethen- Y ingor shortening' the belt, las is common to the manner of adjustingn belts ot such types. fit the second end ot the belt is provided another loop, as 54, and the clasp element l1 is applied to this looped end of the belt Vby slidably moving the sleeve 3G upon the reduced end 35 of the bar 33 so that the sleeve isclea-r or" the lue,F 34. The free end part bar 33 is then sprung' from the 'frame of the clasp element, and the bar with the sleeve are removably disposed through the 'loop 54 ot the belt, after which the sleeve is adjustably moved upon the lup; By then directing; the hook 4l into engagement with the side member 43 of the :trarne or" the rinelike element 1 2 the parts o1c the buckle Will be clasped together for also fastening the end parts of the belt. i4s indicated, the teeth 26 and 2? ot the slide element 10, Vthe teeth 39 and 40 of the claspelement 11, and the teeth 47, 43, 49 of the ring'like element 12 are provided so that they engage the material of the belt, and in turn these elements Will be prevented ltrom moving' outof their fi nu lio normal positions andthe .belt Will also be prevented from puckering.

Vln Figs. 5 and @are illustrated a iorm of the buckle having only one element, and'tliis buckle is composed 'of airtime 55 which is preferably substantially rectangular to provide side members 56, 57 and end members 58, 59. Projecting 'from the central part of the end member 53 is a bar 60 of a length so that its second end terminates in spaced relation to the end member 59 of the frame 55. The bar 60 is of' yielding material so that its tree end part'may be sprungoutward and toward the trame, and the tree end portion of the bar 'may be somewhatreduced in size, as at 61. On this reduced lpart of the bar `is aslidable sleeve 62 which is of a length approximately similar to the length ot the reduced part, and lextending from the end member 59 of the frame 55 is a lug 63 disposed on alinernent with the bar 60 as well as being in closely spaced proximity to the bar so that the sleeve 62 when moved accordingly on the bar 60 will also engage the lug 63. In the sleeve 62 at the end of the bar 60'may be a teat or knob 64, while in the lug 63 may be a socket 65 for receiving the knob 64 when the sleeve 62 is moved upon the lucr 63, in order to releasably fasten the bar ano` the lug together. The bar 60, sleeve 62 and lug 63 are similar to the formations of like parts orP the slide element and clasp element 11 of the hereinafter described form of the buckle shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, f1, 7 and protruding from the side member 57 of the frame 55 toward the bar 60 may be a number of teeth 66. This form of the buckle is applied to a belt, as 67, by providing at one end oi the belt a loop 68. rShe sleeve 62 of the bar 60 is moved upon the reduced end 61 of the bar so that it is clear of the lug 63, and when the bar is sprung from the frame 55 it is passed through the loop 68 of the belt. Following readjustment of the sleeve 62 on the bar 60 and on the lug 63 the buckle will be removably held on the belt. When it is desired to detachably fasten both ends of the belt together the second end part of the belt is guided under the side member 57 of the frame 55, then the belt is passed over the bar 60 and under the side member 56 of the frame. The ends of the belt will thereby be detachably connected. Thus I provide a buckle of a type adapted to be applied to a belt in a manner whereby the buckle may be readily removed to allow of the use of interchangeable belts as well as permitting belts of washable material to be separated from the buckle when it is desired to clean the belt.

In the 'foregoing description, I have embodied the preferred form of my invention, but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I am aware that modiications may be made therein without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, therefore I reserve to myself the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a buckle, a toothed bar extending crosswise of a frame element, a lug protruding from an opposite part of the frame element so that the free end of the lug is closely spaced from the free end of the toothed bar, and a sleeve on the tree end of the toothed bar, adapted to be slidably moved upon the lug for bridging the space between the toothed bar and said lug.

2. In a buckle, a yielding toothed bar eX- tending crosswise of a frame element, a lug protruding from an opposite part of the frame element so that the free end of the lug is closely spaced from the free end of the toothed bar, a sleeve on the free end of the toothed bar, adapted to be moved upon the lug for bridging the space between the bar and lug, and a knob on the sleeve, said lug having a socket for removably receiving the knob when the sleeve is adjustably moved upon the lug.

3. The combination, in a buckle, of a frame element, a toothed bar eXtending crosswise of the frame element, a lug protruding from an opposite part of the frame element so that the free end of the lug is closely spaced from the 'free end of the toothed bar, a sleeve on the free end of the toothed bar, adapted to be vslidably moved upon the lug Jier bridging the space between the toothed bar and said lug, and means for detachably fastening the sleeve and lug together when the sleeve is moved upon the lug.

This specication signed and witnessed this th day of October A. D. 1919.

THOMAS LA MAIDA. Witnesses J. A. SCUTT FREDERICK RYER. 

